The Nigerian contender for the West African welterweight, Fidelis Oneysom, defeated Ghana's number five welterweight, Victor Benu, in three rounds in Lagos on January 31.

The scheduled ten-rounder was stopped by the referee Howard Jones after two minutes 35 seconds. For the first two rounds, the match was almost even, but with the edge of the Nigerian. In the third round, Oneysom took control and with a series of punches from both hands, put the Ghanaian down for a count of eight. The fight was resumed after the count, but seconds later it was stopped and Oneysom declared the winner.

SYNOPSIS: The Nigerian contender for the West African welterweight title, Fidelis Oneysom, had a three-round win over Ghana's Victor Benu at Lagos City Hall on Wednesday. Oneysom, in the light coloured trunks, is Lagos State Champion.

From the start, the two boxers were closely matched with the edge to the Nigerian. For two rounds, Benu gave almost as good as he got.

In the third rounds, Oneysom took control and landed a flurry of blows. Benu was knocked down after dropping his guard near the ropes.

Benu was down for a mandatory count.

The fight restarted, but after a few seconds, referee Howard Jones stopped the bout and declared Oneysom the winner. Benu had been ranked number five welterweight in Ghana.

The bout had been scheduled for ten rounds and promoters had hoped Oneysom's opponent would be the West African welterweight champion, Oblitey Commey. Oneysom will now have to wait for a chance at the title.